By Louise Deegan – Originally Published in the 2012 Founder’s Review Magazine
Varqui Wright was born at Munroe Memorial Hospital in Ocala, FL, on May 7, 1955. He and his family lived in the area of South Marion County that many longtime residents know as Santos, just north of Belleview. Years later, intrigued by his unusual name, he researched its origins and discovered it was also the name of an Oriental dish.
He attended Belleview schools from 1st through 8th grade. In 4th grade, his school distributed flyers informing black students they could attend white schools if they chose to. He brought the flyer home, and his parents told him it was his decision. Initially, he planned to transfer with a friend, but his friend’s parents were uncomfortable with the idea, so the friend didn’t join him. The transition required students to provide their own transportation.
Varqui’s mother, Mammie, worked as a housekeeper for several white families, including Dr. Gibboney’s. During this time, Varqui befriended Dr. Gibboney’s son, Rock, and grew accustomed to being around white people. His parents believed this exposure would broaden his horizons and foster understanding of different communities.
In that pivotal year, Wright became the first and only black student to attend Belleview Elementary School. His stepfather, Samuel Lee, dropped him off on his way to work and picked him up afterward. While waiting, Varqui befriended Billy Muniz, whose mother, Jackie Muniz, was the school secretary.
At Belleview-Santos School, his third-grade teacher was his cousin Maggie Wilson, while his sixth-grade teacher at Belleview Elementary was Mrs. Blanche Milligan, under the leadership of Principal George Holder. During his time at Belleview-Santos, the Cuban Missile Crisis occurred. The students practiced missile drills by standing against the gym wall, a stark contrast to the outdoor fire drills they were used to. Varqui recalled how different Belleview Elementary felt compared to Belleview-Santos, likening the transition to going from elementary school to college because of the newer facilities.
An accelerated student, Varqui skipped 5th grade and advanced from 4th grade at Belleview-Santos to 6th grade at Belleview Elementary. Despite initial worries, he encountered no racial hostility and was warmly accepted by his classmates. He often reflected on the impact of Mrs. Milligan, who instilled in him a love of learning. Mrs. Milligan, present during this interview, remarked, “Varqui was a happy, well-adjusted student who embraced the experience.”
After finishing 6th grade, he returned to Belleview-Santos School due to newly drawn school boundaries established during integration. He later attended Osceola Middle School for 9th grade and graduated from Ocala High School, which was later renamed Forest High School.
Varqui’s family has always valued education, a trait reflected in his large personal library. In 1992, he graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in Journalism. Over the years, he worked for newspapers such as the Daily Sun in The Villages, the Palm Beach Post, the Gainesville Sun, the Orlando Sentinel, and the Ocala Star-Banner. He also served in the Air Force for four years and the Navy for five years.
Throughout his life, he has met notable figures, including Jeb Bush, Bob Martinez, and Claude Kirk, and even had an audience with Pope John Paul II. His travels have taken him to London, Rio de Janeiro, Naples, and Rome, with a particular fondness for Italy.
After returning to Ocala, a friend helped him secure a job at Bob Wines Nursery. However, a life-changing event occurred when he was hit by a truck and airlifted to Shands Hospital in Gainesville. Waking up in the ICU, he was moved by the presence of Bob Wines and nursery manager Laurie Williams by his bedside. He remains grateful to them.
Varqui has one daughter, Rhiannon, named after a Fleetwood Mac song, and two grandchildren who live in Atlanta, GA. He now resides in Ocala with his mother, Mammie, and continues to recover from his accident. He hopes to return to college to pursue a career as a paralegal.
